Definitions for swearswɛər

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

swearswɛər(v.)swore, sworn, swear•ing.

(v.i.)to make a solemn declaration or affirmation by some sacred being or object, as a deity or the Bible.
to bind oneself by oath; vow.
to give evidence or make a statement on oath.
Category: Law
to use profane oaths or language.
(v.t.)to declare, affirm, etc., by swearing by a deity or a sacred object.
to testify or state on oath.
Category: Law
to affirm, assert, or say with solemn earnestness.
to promise on oath; vow.
to take (an oath).
to bind by an oath:
swore them to secrecy.
swear by, to name (a sacred being or object) as one's witness or guarantee in swearing. to have great confidence in.
Category: Verb Phrase
swear in, to admit to office or service by administering an oath.
Category: Verb Phrase
swear off, to promise to give up (something, esp. intoxicating beverages).
Category: Verb Phrase
swear out, to secure (a warrant for arrest) by making an accusation under oath.
Category: Verb Phrase, Law

Origin of swear:

bef. 900; ME sweren, OE swerian, c. OFris swaria, OS, OHG swerian, ON sverja; akin to Go swaran to swear; cf. answer

swear′er(n.)

Princeton's WordNet

curse, cuss, blaspheme, swear, imprecate(verb)
utter obscenities or profanities
"The drunken men were cursing loudly in the street"
affirm, verify, assert, avow, aver, swan, swear(verb)
to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
"Before God I swear I am innocent"
swear(verb)
promise solemnly; take an oath
swear, depose, depone(verb)
make a deposition; declare under oath
trust, swear, rely, bank(verb)
have confidence or faith in
"We can trust in God"; "Rely on your friends"; "bank on your good education"; "I swear by my grandmother's recipes"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

swear(verb)ɛər
to say offensive words when you are angry, frustrated, etc.
She hit her finger and swore.; I heard him swear at his son.
swearɛər
to promise seriously that you will do sth or sth is true
I swear (that) I'm telling the truth.; The family swore to get revenge.
swearɛər
to make a serious legal promise
to swear an oath of secrecy

Webster Dictionary

Swear(verb)
to affirm or utter a solemn declaration, with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed; to make a promise, threat, or resolve on oath; also, to affirm solemnly by some sacred object, or one regarded as sacred, as the Bible, the Koran, etc
Swear(verb)
to give evidence on oath; as, to swear to the truth of a statement; he swore against the prisoner
Swear(verb)
to make an appeal to God in an irreverant manner; to use the name of God or sacred things profanely; to call upon God in imprecation; to curse
Swear(verb)
to utter or affirm with a solemn appeal to God for the truth of the declaration; to make (a promise, threat, or resolve) under oath
Swear(verb)
to put to an oath; to cause to take an oath; to administer an oath to; -- ofetn followed by in or into; as, to swear witnesses; to swear a jury; to swear in an officer; he was sworn into office
Swear(verb)
to declare or charge upon oath; as, he swore treason against his friend
Swear(verb)
to appeal to by an oath

Translations for swear

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary

swear(verb)

to state, declare, or promise solemnly with an oath, or very definitely and positively

The witness must swear to tell the truth; He swore an oath of loyalty; Swear never to reveal the secret; I could have sworn (= I'm sure) she was here a minute ago.